Hornbill Conservation Centre | 24 Jul 2025

Source: TH 

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR). 

• Focus Hornbill Species: It will focus on conserving four species found in the Western Ghats i.e., Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and  Indian Grey Hornbill. 
• Expansion: Alongside ATR, it will extend to Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and parts of Kanyakumari. 
• Broader Conservation Strategy: This marks another milestone in Tamil Nadu's conservation journey, following the Dugong Conservation Reserve, Nilgiri Tahr Project, Slender Loris Conservation Centre, and AI-powered elephant conservation. 

Hornbill 

• About: Hornbills are large, wide-ranging, fruit-eating birds that primarily inhabit tropical forests (tall trees). 
• Unique Traits: Hornbills have large curved beaks, booming calls, and distinctive wing beats.  
  • During breeding, the female seals a tree cavity, and the male feeds her through a narrow slit. 
• Hornbill Species in India: India hosts 9 species, with 4 in the Western Ghats(Nature Conservation Foundation).  
  • The Great Hornbill is widely distributed, and the Narcondam Hornbill is endemic to Narcondam Island. 
• Ecological Role: They serve as vital seed dispersers, earning the title “farmers of the forest,” and function as keystone species.